Pork Lettuce Wraps with Thai Sweet Chili Sauce

Weight loss is a tricky thing. I started feeling a little cocky about it this past Friday when I got on the scale and realized I was only 1 lb away from my goal weight. I told myself I had made it through the toughest part. The first 3-4 weeks when it feels like it is absolutely impossible to lose anything or actually survive on the recommended daily allowance from Weight Watchers or any other plan. I congratulated myself for sticking with it and not losing faith the weeks where the scale creeped up even though I was following the plan.

This is my 3rd time on Weight Watchers. The last two times I did it while nursing so I was given an additional 10 points per day to account for the calories burned and ensure the babies were being properly nourished. 36 points vs my current 26 points. It felt a little more manageable or at least it seems that way in hindsight. However, after I got used to the change this time around, it began to feel a bit more doable. Hence, my great weigh-in last Friday. Woo hoo!

Well, something happened this weekend and I went way overboard with my celebratory eating. Needless to say, the hard-earned 4 1/2lb weight loss which took about 6 weeks to achieve was gained right back in 3 days! Now I know I’m not really supposed to weigh myself again until Friday but I couldn’t help it. I could feel the extra few pounds and I knew I splurged pretty heavily so I just had to peek. Needless to say, it was a bit discouraging.

I share this with you because I often have friends question why I’m on the program to begin with or how I can write a food blog, work in a test kitchen, basically live and breathe food all day long and “not have to worry about gaining weight”. I do worry about it. Not to the point where I allow it to prohibit me from enjoying life and all of the delicious food around me but enough to know how important it is to manage portions, make healthy choices whenever possible and reel things back in after a big splurge.

This is reeling it in. Not too shabby from my perspective. It’s a delicious, filling lunch or dinner and one which reminds me the plan is completely doable. Healthy foods can be absolutely satisfying and crave-worthy. I’m back on track understanding while I may not love what the scale tells me this Friday I know I will continue the program and work hard to achieve my goal weight. Change isn’t often easy but in the end I know it will be worth it.

Heat a non-stick sauté pan over medium-high heat and add canola oil. Once hot, add ground pork. Separate so entire surface of pan is covered with pork but do not toss or break into small pieces at this time. Allow to brown without disturbing for about 4-5 minutes and then toss to brown on the other side for an additional 3-4 minutes before breaking apart and tossing to brown all over. Remove browned pork to a side dish once it is cooked through and the internal temperature is 145 degrees.

Coat pan with cooking spray and add bell pepper, scallions and water chestnuts. Cook, tossing occasionally, until scallion and pepper are beginning to soften, about 3-4 minutes. Add minced garlic and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds before returning ground pork to the pan.

Add tamari, teriyaki and rice vinegar and cook, tossing frequently until well-distributed. Taste and season with kosher salt and pepper, as needed. Serve ground pork mixture on top of lettuce leaves, garnish with green parts of scallions and spoon over Thai sweet chili sauce.

2 Comments

Thanks for sharing your struggles! Your blog is one of several I follow and use recipes from to help me stay on track with weight loss. Portion control is my biggest challenge because I just love to keep tasting. ;0) Thanks again for inspiring me!

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I have always loved food. Loved to cook. Loved to talk about food, think about food, read about food. You get the gist. Food + Me = Love! Recently, my relationship with food was challenged. My love turned to fear.Read My Story